どこまで本気で、どこまで冗談なのか？<P>階層社会においては、有能な人は昇進圧力により上の層へ上がっていくが、やがて自己の能力を越えたポジションにまで到達すると職責が果たせなくなり、昇進がとまる（＝終点到達）。<BR>これを繰り返すうちに、あらゆるポジションはいずれは無能な人間でいっぱいになる。<P>これが「ピーターの法則」である。<P>この説は、人間の能力は生涯向上しない、という前提をおかないと成り立たないので、そこがまずおかしい。<P>が、一方で身の回りを見回すと、「終点到達」している人が確かにいるようにも見える。<P>　無能になる一歩手前で昇進をやめなさい、<BR>　無理に能力以上の昇進など、せぬ方が幸せなのだよ。<P>というこの本の言い様は、常に勉強を怠るな、という警句の裏返しである・・・とは思う。<BR>しかし、昨今のスローライフは、まさに、こういう生き方を大真面目に勧めている。著者は、どちらの立場なのか、冗談なのか本気なのか、やっぱりわからない。<P>いずれにせよ、自分自身が「終点到達症候群」を呈していないか、よーく考えてみよう。おぉ、こわ。

.<BR>A relatively concise book, first published in 1969, by Prof Peter, who wrote down his observations on the prevalence of INCOMPETENCE in society and every organisation, with his theory on what lies behind it.<P>The notes preceded the publication by more than a decade. And would have never been published if not for the chance meeting with Raymond Hull, who offered to organise Prof Peter's notes.<P>In essence, the theory states that in time, everyone in every HIERARCHY gets promoted to a position in which he is INCOMPETENT to perform its duties. The cause being, everyone is promoted, less for his competence for the new position, but as a reward or "reward" for his performance in the one before it.<P>Despite what is often perceived as its SATIRICAL tone, hits the matter right on the mark. Painfully so. Extremely thorough in its examination of the phenomenon, with --apart from vivid examples-- prepared counter-proofs for every argument to the contrary. Funny, too, if not for the fact that it applies to ONESELF as well.<P>Not limited to management (who often exhibit the very symptoms described); just as needed by the VICTIMS of the incompetence of others above and around them. Not limited to members of big formal organisations either--as shown, the phenomenon manifests itself even in school and in society.<P>Without exaggeration, MUST BE read.<P>英語（文法だけではなく、表現や文化的ニュアンスも）が得意な方向きです。日本語版『ピーターの法則』も出ています。